It is interesting to think of the different places you find the Walker Mower being used and the varied conditions they are operated in. With that thought in mind, it is important to be aware of how these different conditions will affect the maintenance procedures that your Walker will require. As an operator, you most likely will see changing conditions throughout the mowing season, and because of that, you may need to adjust your maintenance procedures accordingly; e.g., an item that needs to be cleaned on a daily interval in “normal” conditions may need to be cleaned every hour in adverse conditions.
For the sake of space we will look at three common conditions that might be considered typical: 1) dry, dirty or dusty conditions, 2) wet, lush conditions, 3) additional attention required with sandy soils. In addition to the environmental variables on mower maintenance, there are two styles of mowing that can increase the need for maintenance in adverse conditions; both mulching and scalping have a tendency to expose the mower to more dirt and debris. As a note here, your Walker Owner’s Manual will be an excellent resource for the maintenance required in different conditions. My purpose here is to highlight some of these.
Dry, Dirty or Dusty
Dry, dirty or dusty conditions require greater attention to detail and more frequent inspection along with cleaning and lubrication. The engine cooling and air filtration system will be the main focus in these conditions as dirt ingestion and overheating are the enemy of your engine. But don’t neglect other items either. The checklist below will be a good beginning point for this inspection.
- Engine blower screen
- Engine cooling fins
- Radiator (if applicable)
- Air filter restriction gague
- Air cleaner system
- Turbine pre-cleaner
- Grease fittings and oil points (lubricate)
- GHS exhaust screen
- GHS blower
Wet and Lush
The next common condition is the wet, lush grass typically associated with springtime. As the grass comes out of dormancy, the maintenance requirements will change to deal with new growth and springtime mowing conditions. There will be wet, sticky plant juices that come with new growth of all kinds. Grasses, dandelions, clover and other nuisance growth tend to clog up the mower deck, engine cooling system and the GHS components. There also may be leaves, aeration cores and tree cotton during this time of year. Again, a checklist will help to call out areas that require extra cleaning attention during this season of mowing.
- Engine blower screen
- Engine cooling fins
- Radiator (if applicable)
- Underside of the deck housing
- GHS exhaust screen
- GHS blower
Sandy Soil
Lastly, in looking at sandy soils, this is a condition that is year-round and requires a consistent maintenance schedule to keep your Walker in good condition and performing at its best. Sandy soil conditions cause accelerated wear—so extra maintenance can be expected. Sand is very abrasive to any material when moving at high speeds throughout your Walker, especially the GHS system and cutting blades. Following are the items that need more frequent and special attention in these conditions.
- Blade condition (sharpen more often and replace more often)
- GHS Blower (performace is lost if there if more htan a 1/4 inch gap between the blower blades and housing)
- Cutting height, raise if possible (to reduce sand ingestion)
- Engine cooling fins
- Radiator (if applicable)
- Drive pulley and drive belt wear
Here we have attempted to cover the items that require additional attention in certain conditions. Use these lists along with the maintenance procedures found in your Owner’s Manual. If you will tend to these conditional maintenance requirements along with your regular maintenance, you will find that the performance and life you experience from your Walker Mower will increase.
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